The 6-foot-long reptile was spotted several weeks ago in sewage pools in the northern Gaza Strip, and villagers complained it had been eating their livestock. Police called in fishermen, who netted the crocodile on Monday.

One local farmer reported that the crocodile ate two of his goats, according to the al-Arabiya website.

The fugitive was returned to the zoo and reunited with four other crocodiles. Owners of the zoo said the crocodile had grown considerably since his escape, and they decided to name him "Sakher", or Rock, as a tribute to his survival.